Starting or not!

[Jimm218]

Hey guys,

Been trying to search but not really acheving much.

Only had this problem a few days and its not every time.

Get in the car and disable the immobiliser. Press the black button to start. I get a fast wur from the starter but it doesn't fire up. Sounds like its not engaging to me.

What could cause this? Low voltage to the starter soleniod?

The starter was replaced in May by Racetech and the car has done 700 miles since.

If I give it a few tries and roll the car a little bit it tends to fire.

Cheers in advance.

Jimm

[C3BER]

Does it click?

[Jimm218]

Haven't noticed the click. Def sounds like the starter is turning though.

[david kelsey]

You should try selecting first gear with the ignition off then rocking the car back and forth until you manage to turn the engine past the compression stroke!!!

Sometimes the inertia sticks in the out position,
also a firm tap with a large hammer will sometimes suffice

[C3BER]

Does it screech?

I have a feeling it's had it but have a feel of it and shake it and see if it's lose. I went through a spate of starters a few years ago and I know it's bloody frustrating when it's just had a new one.

[stuthemong]

Sounds like the solenoid isn't reliably kicking the bendix / gear out properly. Replacement solenoid will tend to sort. You can get refurb kits on ebay, but hopefully Racetech will have it sorted for you if it's that new - best to ask them first before touching it

[Jimm218]

Thanks for the replys.

Pretty much what I was expecting

Do solenoids fail often on these? I don't see why they should, not exactly a stressed component. Is it an issuse of them being under spec'd?

I'll have a look and make sure everything is plugged in and clean. If that doesn't solve it then it'll be back to Racetech!

[SimonKD]

Hi Jimm

Starter motors are a weakness on Cerbs.

Your problem sounds like either the solenoid is faulty ie it makes the motor contacts but doesn't engage the bendix or the bendix itself is faulty.

Was the heat shield refitted after the starter motor work last time? If not the solenoid can get very hot and break down.

There is only one small wire to activate the solenoid this connection must be OK as the motor is turning.

Either way after such a short time Castle should sort it for you I would have thought.

Regards

Simon

[Jimm218]

I've had a bit of a poke about today. Replaced a couple of fuses that the insulation was cracked on. Disconected the cable to the soleniod on the starter. When pressing the start button I could hear the relay under the dash clicking in and out. Remade the connection to the starter soleniod, did it a few times to clear any crud off it. Measured the battery voltage with ignition off at 12.3V then tried to start the car. Fired on the first attempt of course. Measured the voltage again at 13V.

Voltage seams a little on the low side to me.

Simon you mention a heat shield, where abouts should this be? I didnt find anything of the sort while hunting in there. Anyone got a pic?

I'll use her as normal and see if the fault comes back! Also will measure the voltage supplied to the starter soleniod when I have a helper.

Cheers in advance.

Hope I make it to Mercedes at the weekend!

[tejr]

Jimm218 said:

voltage again at 13V.

At idle mine can be below 12.5v, especially when standing on the brake at a traffic light.. bump the idle up to just over 1krpm and the voltage bumps up to over 13V

[SimonKD]

Jimm218 said:

Simon you mention a heat shield, where abouts should this be? I didnt find anything of the sort while hunting in there. Anyone got a pic?

I'll get a picture up later but it's an L shaped piece of fibreglass covered in heat reflective material that clips onto the starter motor coil.

Regards
Simon

[Jimm218]

Any update on that pic simon? Was hoping to chat to a few people at merc the other week but only found cars and no owners.

Cheers

Jimm

[pmessling]

I didn't have a heat shield on mine when i replaced it either, mine done the whizzing up before engaging a few times before it failed.

Either replace the solenoid and benix gear, or replace starter.

As you'll only end up getting stranded like i did.

[Jimm218]

Racetech are changing it.

What I'm trying to establish is what caused it to fail so I can prevent it happening again. My policy is "if it breaks find out why and upgrade it so it doesn't happen again".